This blog is about my journey in the world of media and TV, but it relates to all areas of life. Just plug in whatever it is for you!
When I began my journey into TV land, I entered with lofty goals and big dreams. It's the hardest industry one can possibly enter -- one filled with many missed opportunities, closed doors, and rejection. I can't tell you how many times I've come this close to something, only to have that opportunity be thwarted in the end.
A few years ago, I missed an opportunity to be on the Today Show. Since I didn't have a Blackberry, I didn't get the email in time, and if you don't respond quickly, you miss out. I bought a Blackberry the very next day, and haven't heard from the Today Show since. I also missed an opportunity to be with Katie Couric on CBS Morning News because of a series of miscommunications. I even turned down the chance to be on Oprah (for reasons I can't get into, but this one took me a very long time to forgive myself for)! I've shot four pilots that never made it to air, have had a lot of "almosts" in being a contributor to several TV shows, had countless meetings with people who all seem to love me... and yet, here I still am, circling around the opportunities, but still not quite in.
Over the years, the excitement I felt with each gain was off the charts, as was the disappointment I felt with each loss. But every time, I licked my wounds and eventually forged forward. Just yesterday, a national TV show I've wanted to be a part of for a while called on me to be an expert, and within a few hours, the opportunity was lost. It was the quickest high/low I've ever experienced. And although the disappointment was big, I noticed that the hard work I'd done on myself had really worked; my quickest disappointment led to my quickest recovery. Within a few hours, I was back to hopeful.
With every turn, and every disappointment, I have questioned whether it was time to let go of this dream. My life is good -- and it would be so much easier if I did let it go. But every time, I decide to keep going. This journey has brought me to places I never would have experienced and people that I never would have met if I'd stayed safe. I've had exciting times I couldn't believe I was having, met lifelong friends, and spent time with some of the most accomplished and creative people imaginable. As they say, it's really about the journey -- not the destination. Because once you reach the destination (wherever it may be), there is always the next journey to take. This is called life! And it's wonderful, mysterious, and worth it, no matter how much it may hurt at times.
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